SJSU standout running back Brandon Rutley cleared to play Friday

San Jose State University Spartans starting quarterback Matt Faulkner (7) hands the ball off to Spartans Brandon Rutley (9) against the New Mexico State University Aggies in the second quarter at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, September 24, 2011. (Nhat V. Meyer/Mercury News)

Sidelined by an ankle sprain for nearly two weeks, senior running back Brandon Rutley practiced again Thursday and will start for San Jose State on Friday night against Hawaii.

Rutley helped power the Spartans to victories over New Mexico State and Colorado State, rushing for a combined 340 yards in the two games. But he sprained his left ankle in the second half of the CSU game and did not play in SJSU's 29-16 loss at BYU on Saturday.

He practiced for the first time on Wednesday, then again Thursday. Both workouts were without pads.

A native of Martinez, Rutley ranks third in the Western Athletic Conference in rushing at 103.8 yards per game and first in all-purpose yards at 181.2 yards.